A Kansas Vehicle Bill of Sale: What To Know
Photo by Raychel Sanner on Unsplash
A Kansas Vehicle Bill of Sale is a vital document required by the state whenever you are buying or selling a vehicle within the state. This paperwork can be obtained and filed at each state’s motor vehicle office, in this case the Kansas Division of Vehicles. There are some important things you need to know about a Kansas Vehicle Bill of Sale, so keep reading to find out more!
Kansas Vehicle Bill of Sale Requirements
In the state of Kansas, a bill of sale is generally not required, but it is recommended. Whether you are transferring ownership of a vehicle between private parties or completing a transaction that involves a car dealership, a bill of sale can serve as proof of the transaction when transferring vehicle ownership from one party to another. It can also be known as the affidavit of purchase.
A bill of sale exists to offer legal protection for both the buyer and the seller in the event of any dispute or issue during the time of the transfer of ownership. This is why it is recommended to complete one.
A bill of sale is completed at the time of sale and can serve as proof of the transaction until the buyer receives their new vehicle title in their name. The buyer can use this document as proof of their legal agreement in the event that they are pulled over or otherwise need to show ownership of the vehicle.
This important document also protects the seller from being on the hook for legal issues such as accidents, parking tickets, and traffic violations incurred after the point of sale. Without a bill of sale, it could be difficult to prove exactly when the transaction took place and whether the buyer or seller was in possession of the vehicle.
While the requirements of a bill of sale can vary from state to state, the general terms of a bill of sale are going to be the same in most states. To review, a Kansas bill of sale should have the following points of information in order to be considered a valid and complete legal document:
NOT JUST FOR CAR SHOPPING
The CoPilot app isn’t just for buying a car - our new CoPilot for Owning tool will help you keep track of recalls and gives you advice on which scheduled maintenance tasks are most important.
Contact Information
One of the most important sections of the bill of sale is the contact information. The full and complete legal names of both the buyer and the seller should be included in the bill of sale so that both parties can be identified. In addition, the contact information must be filled out so that either party can be reached in the event of an issue or a dispute.
Seller Information
In Kansas, the seller of the car must provide their full name, address, and phone number in order to complete the bill of sale. They will also provide their signature in order for the bill of sale to be considered complete. Why is this information necessary? This part of the documentation is important because the buyer may need to contact the seller if there are any issues, or the state may need to reach out to the seller for various reasons. The signature, of course, serves as proof that the seller agrees to the sale and relinquishes their ownership of the vehicle.
Buyer Information
In addition to the seller’s information, any bill of sale must also include the information for the buyer of the vehicle. This should include their full name, address, and phone number. In most states, the buyer must also sign the bill of sale in order to certify the transaction. By filling out their information on a bill of sale, the buyer receives some legal protection in the event that the legitimacy of the transfer of ownership is called into question. In the event of an accident, traffic stop, or other instance - the bill of sale can serve as temporary proof of ownership while the buyer awaits their new vehicle title in their name.
THE 10 MOST RELIABLE USED SEDANS
If you’re ready to start shopping for a used car and reliability is a priority for you, take a look at our list of the top 10 most reliable used sedans on the market today.
Vehicle Information
The next section of a Kansas bill of sale should be the vehicle information. This will typically include the year, make, and model of the vehicle, as well as the vehicle license plate number and the VIN number.
Every vehicle can be differentiated by its unique VIN number in the event that a car needs to be identified by law enforcement, the state’s Division of Vehicles, a dealership or mechanic, or any other third party.
Sale Information
Last but not least, any bill of sale document should include information about the transaction in order to prove and certify the sale. This should include the date of the sale and the purchase price. On the day the bill of sale is completed, the sale is considered valid; however, other documentation must be completed with the state in order to complete the transfer of ownership and be issued a new title.
HOW MANY SPARK PLUGS DOES A DIESEL ENGINE HAVE?
The answer to this question isn’t as simple as you’d expect. Let’s look explore the difference between gas and diesel engines and explore just how many spark plugs a diesel engine actually has.
Kansas Vehicle Bill of Sale Differences
In Kansas, the bill of sale document is primarily used to complete antique vehicle transfer of ownership where no car title is available. While you can certainly create or complete a bill of sale form for a regular car sale, it is not required in the state of Kansas.
In the state of Kansas, the bill of sale does not need to be notarized, although it certainly can be in some instances to further certify the sale. In some states, notarization is required for the bill of sale to be valid. Notarization can serve as an extra layer of protection for both the buyer and the seller.
In Kansas, there is another form (form TR-216) known as the Seller’s Notification of Sale, which serves much of the same function as a bill of sale, and is filed with the local county to determine when a vehicle has been sold and delivered to the possession of a new owner.
Kansas Vehicle Bill of Sale Things to Know
In the state of Kansas, you can use the state’s official Bill of Sale form (also known as TR-312), or you can use another template found online or create your own. Just be sure that all of the information listed above is present on the document and that your bill of sale is signed (ideally by both the buyer and the seller), and it should be considered a valid legal document.
Like most legal documents, a Kansas bill of sale should always be completed in either blue or black ink and never in pencil. Before you finalize your bill of sale, make sure to verify that all of the information provided is accurate and complete.
There are a few other additional steps needed in order to legally complete an auto title transfer in the state of Kansas. The most important step of selling a car in Kansas is the completion of the vehicle title. Both the buyer and the seller have sections to fill out on the back of the title. The title must be signed, and the odometer disclosure portion must be completed for most vehicles.
Another form known as the Seller’s Notification of Sale must also be filed with your local county in order to prove the sale of the vehicle while waiting for the ownership transfer to be complete.
In addition, there may be other paperwork needed when a dealership is involved in the transaction.
Final Thoughts
Since a bill of sale offers both buyers and sellers legal protection in the event of a vehicle transaction, it is always recommended to complete one even in instances where one is not required. So although the state of Kansas does not require a bill of sale, it would be in your best interest to create or locate a simple bill of sale form to certify the transfer of ownership.
While buying or selling a vehicle can seem overwhelming, the process does not have to be stressful. Completing a Kansas vehicle bill of sale during your transaction protects both parties and is an easy way to prove the legality of your agreement.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.
Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.
The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.
